EDRP:The applicant selected for this position MAY BE eligible to apply for an education loan reimbursement award up to the maximum limitation under the provisions of the Education Debt Reduction Program.Eligibility to apply does not guarantee acceptance into the program.Approval for EDRP awards are subject to the availability of funding.

You could be part of an important initiative to provide mental health care for our nations Veterans!

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki has announced that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will be adding approximately 1,600 mental health clinicians  to include nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers as well as nearly 300 support staff to its existing workforce.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) needs mental health professionals who possess the energy, compassion, and commitment to serve those who serve our Country. Whatever the job title, every position in VA will give you a chance to make a meaningful and personal contribution to the lives of truly special and deserving people - our Veterans.

Working for VA is one of the most emotionally satisfying and professionally rewarding ways to dedicate the best within you to your country's service.

If you are transitioning from the military or a Veteran already, we invite you to explore the benefits of continuing your career at the VA. The VA is committed to hiring Veterans.

The VA is much more than just another employer. It is an honorable, open and welcoming community of those who care. Gratitude is our motivation and service is our mission. The VA has adopted Core Values and Characteristics that apply universally across the Department. The five Core Values define "who we are," our culture, and how we care for Veterans, their families and other beneficiaries. The Values are Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect and Excellence ("I CARE").

America's Veterans need you!

TRAVEL REQUIRED

Not Required

RELOCATION AUTHORIZED

Yes

relocation/Recruitment incentive has been approved for a well qualified candidate

KEY REQUIREMENTS

US citizenship

English language proficiency

Background/suitability investigation

Physical standards - Must pass pre-employment examination

Education (Doctoral Psychology & completed APA psychology internship)

DUTIES:

The psychologist assigned to the position of Post Trauma Care in the Mental Health Service Line will provide a full range of psycho-diagnostic services including use of psychological testing for patients admitted to the inpatient psychiatry unit. He/she will provide comprehensive, evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions, including individual, family, and group psychotherapy. Performs psychological evaluations for individuals with mental health and medical disorders for purposes o diagnostic clarification and treatment planning recommendations. Develops, implements, and documents the psychotherapeutic treatment plan for an assigned case load of patients, including prompt completion of clinical reminders. He/she will function independently as a member of the Inpatient Mental Health Team and Carl Vinson VAMC Medical Staff, with full clinical privileges. Assumes complete professional responsibility for his/her clinical assessment findings, patient care decisions and documentation. Psychologist may be involved in program evaluation and/or research activities.

(a)Experience.In addition to the basic requirements at the
GS-11 level, at least 1 year of experience as a professional psychologist
equivalent to the next lower grade level.Individuals assigned as GS-12 psychologists may be in the process of
obtaining licensure at the independent practice level.If unlicensed, the individual must be supervised
by a licensed psychologist and the experience and supervision must meet the
standards for psychology licensure.In
addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

(b)Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills,
and Abilities

1.Knowledge of, and ability to apply, a wide
range of professional psychological theories and assessment methods to a
variety of patient populations.

2.Ability to develop coherent treatment
strategies.

3.Ability to incorporate new clinical
procedures.

(c)Assignment. At the GS-12
level, unlicensed psychologists practice under the supervision of a licensed
psychologist, but with less need for consultation than at the GS-11 grade
level.They may be assigned to any
program area.

(3)GS-13

(a)Licensure.Hold a full,
current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level
in a State, Territory, Commonwealth of the United
States (e.g., Puerto Rico), or the District of Columbia.

(b)Experience.In addition to
the experience requirements at the GS-12 level, at least 1 additional year of
experience as a psychologist equivalent to the next lower grade level.In addition the candidate must demonstrate
the following KSAs:

(c)Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1.Knowledge of, and ability to apply, advanced
professional psychological theories and techniques to the full range of patient
populations.

2.Ability to provide professional advice and
consultation in areas related to professional psychology and behavioral health.

3.Knowledge of clinical research literature.

4.
For supervisory assignments

a.Ability to provide supervision in areas
related to behavioral health and social services provision in order to
accomplish the organizational goals and objectives.

b.Ability to provide fair, principled and
decisive leadership for a work environment that promotes shared accountability.

(d)Assignments.This is the full performance level for
staff psychologists.At this level
psychologists are licensed at the doctoral level to practice independently in
the provision of psychological services consulting with peers and supervisors
as appropriate.They are assigned to any
VHA program and setting, including inpatient or outpatient medicine, surgery,
mental health, neurology, rehabilitation medicine, geriatrics, Vet Centers, and
the VHA National Center for Organizational Development.

DESIGNATED DRUG-TESTING POSITION: Applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test result is received. [If applicable]

NOTE: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the United States Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards your qualifications for this position. You can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html. All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.

Veteran's Preference: When applying for Federal jobs, eligible veterans should claim preference on the Occupational Questionnaire in the section provided and provide a legible copy of DD-214(s) showing all dates of service as well as character of service (honorable, general, etc.). Additionally, veterans with service-connected disability of 10% or more must also submit a copy of their official statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs, or from a branch of the Armed Forces, certifying their service-connected disability and/or their receipt of compensation for service-connected disability.

Veterans with service-connected disability of less than 10%, nonservice-connected disability, and Purple Heart recipients, as-well-as those claiming derived preference for a spouse, widow or widower, or natural mother, should refer to and submit a completed SF 15, "Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference," and required documentation with your application materials.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

Complete application packages will be reviewed to determine if the basic qualifications for this position have been met. A listing of candidates who meet the basic qualification requirements will be forwarded to the hiring facility where the credentialing and privileging screening process is completed.

BENEFITS:

OTHER INFORMATION:

This position will be filled on a full-time permanent basis. Upon completing any required probationary period, the position will be permanent.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

HOW TO APPLY:

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package (See "Required Documents" section below). The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on Thursday, August 07, 2014.

To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.

Note: To return to a previously Saved or Incomplete application return to your member account in USAJOBS to see the status of your application, including any messages that may have been sent to you.

Fax the completed 1203FX form along with any supporting documents to (478)757-3144. Your 1203FX will serve as a cover page for your fax transmission. Keep a copy of your fax receipt in case verification is needed.

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

You will receive e-mail notification as to whether or not you were included on the list of referred candidates. If you do not provide an e-mail address, your notification will be sent via U.S. Postal Service within 2-4 weeks. Important note: Applicants have the burden of producing all needed information prior to the closing of the announcement Thursday, August 07, 2014.